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State Official Decorations

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Cross of Valor

(Krzyz Walecznych)

Instituted by decree of the State DefenseCouncil of August 11, 1920, during the Polish-Soviet war; revived in 1940 and in the People's Army in the East in 1943 and 1944 respectively. Revived again by the Act of October 16, 1992. It can be awarded for acts of valor while serving with UN peacekeeping missions. The cross is equivalent to the American Silver Star, French Croix de Guerre or German Iron Cross. Conferred in a single class to members of the Polish Armed Forces, for acts of valor in the battlefield. In exceptional cases it can be granted to allied soldiers and civilians. The cross can be conferred up to four times, yet the awards in WW2 were counted independently of those of 1920.

Badge: bronze cross 43 x 43 mm (there exist smaller copies 37 x 37 mm), of slightly concave arms and convex arm bases; the arms bear the motto: NA : POLU : CHWALY : 1920. (on the field of glory, 1920). In the center is a heraldic shield bearing a crowned eagle. On the vertical arms of the reverse is a sword pointed upwards and piercing a laurel wreath in the middle; the horizontal arms bear the inscription WALE : CZNYM (to the valorous). There exist copies with the year 1939 or 1940 instead of 1920; the crosses bestowed in People's Poland have the year 1943 (rare) or 1944.

Ribbon: 35-37 mm, claret with broad white side stripes; those conferred by the Government in Exile during WW2 have the colors reversed - white with claret stripes; awards in the People's Republic - 40 mm, dark crimson with white stripes. Each subsequent award is denoted by a bronze bar with oak leaves on the ribbon; in People's Poland each award was worn as a separate badge .

Note: Crosses awarded to the soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces inerned in Switzerland fot the French campaign of 1940 were dated 1940 instead of 1920 (the original items are rare). The unnumbered crosses are supposed to be the early ones, conferred for the battle of Warsaw of 1920.

Military Cross

(Krzyz Wojskowy)

Instituted by act of Parliamentof June 14, 2007. It is a non-warlike counterpart of the Cross of Valor, and is a combat decoration, conferred to a military, irrespective of rank and service for combat valor agains an act of terror in the territory of Poland or while on a mission of the Armed Forces overseas. It can be awarded to members of other uniformed services or to civilians. It can also be awarded to a military unit. It can be conferred up to four times to the same person.

Badge: bronze cross 42 x 42 mm, with concave arm bases, of the same design as that of the Order of the Military Cross, but without enamel and the surmounting crown. In the center there is an eagle of the coat of arms of Poland. The institution year 'MMVII' in Roman numerals is located on the lower arm. Reverse flat, inscribed 'MESTWU I ODWADZE' (to gallantry and valor) across the horizontal arms and a sword pointed upwards across the vertical ones. On the reverse there is also also the serial number.

Ribbon: 40 mm wide, crimson with 8 mm dark blue stripes, 3 mm inset (reversed colors of the Order of the Military Cross ribbon). Each subsequent award is denoted by a bronze bar with oak leaves on the ribbon.

Cross of Merit

(Krzyz Zaslugi)

Instituted on June 23, 1923. Conferred in three grades (gold, silver and bronze) to civilians or military for merit to the country or its citizens beyond their normal duty. The Cross of Merit for Bravery (Krzyz Zaslugi za Dzielnosc) was instituted on March 7, 1928 for members of the Police, Customs Service and Frontier Corps for acts of bravery at the risk of their lives in defense of law, state frontier or human life or property. Recipients were entitled to a pension. On October 19, 1942 the Polish Government in Exile in London instituted the Cross of Merit with Swords (Krzyz Zaslugi z Mieczami), also in three grades, for deeds of bravery and valor not connected with direct fight, as well as for merit rendered in perilous circumstances. Cross of Merit was recognized and broadly awarded in People's Poland while crosses with swords and for bravery were discontinued. All three types of the cross were reintroduced by the Act of October 18, 1992. Before and during WW2 crosses with and without swords could be conferred up to four times in each grade; cross for bravery - up to three times. From 1960 gold and silver crosses could be awarded twice, a bronze cross - once. Since 1992 all types of the cross can be conferred twice in each grade. The Cross of Merit is the most egalitarian of all Polish decorations. It has been awarded for merit in almost all areas of human activity: professional or non-professional work, charity incl. blood donation, art and science, sports, life saving, long marital life, as well as for mothers of many children.

Badge of Gold and Silver Crosses: gold or silver Leopold cross 40 x 40 mm, with ball finials and the arms enameled dark red, showing scaly surface below. Between the arms there are five rays. Medallion: stylized letters RP (PRL between 1952 and 1990) on white background; around there are two circles - the inner red and the outer gilt or silver respectively, adorned with a wavy ornament. The badge is attached to the ribbon by a ring in the form of a wreath. Bronze Cross: bronze, without enamel, the arms' surface is granular; between the arms there are three rays, separated by narrow rays between. The medallion with letters RP or PRL is surrounded by a laurel wreath. The badge is attached to the ribbon with an ordinary ring. The reverse side of all three grades is plain.

Cross of Merit for Bravery: identical to that of the silver Cross of Merit, with the additional inscription ZA : DZIEL- : NOSC (for bravery) on the upper and lateral arms.

Cross of Merit with Swords: badges are identical with the appropriate grade of the Cross of Merit; each badge is surmounted by a gilt, silver or bronze link of two flatly crossed swords on a short vertical bar.

Ribbon: 40 mm, claret with narrow light blue side stripes; awards in the People's Republic - dark crimson with very light grayish-blue stripes. (the shade may vary considerably). The cross for Bravery awarded in II Republic had an extra diagonal (left to right) stripe of green and dark blue; that awarded in III Republic has a narrow vertical stripe of the same colors in the middle of the ribbon. Each subsequent award is denoted by a gilt, silver or bronze bar on the ribbon; in People's Poland each award was worn separately. On the ribbon bars the cross with Swords is denoted by a pair of swords on the ribbon; since 1960 gold and silver crosses have been marked by a gilt or silver vertical braid in the middle of the ribbon bar.

Cross of Freedom and Solidarity

(Krzyz Wolnosci i Solidarnosci)

Instituted on August 5, 2010 by an act of Parliament, together with the Order of the Independence Cross. Conferred to individuals who between January 1, 1956 and June 4, 1989 (with the exception of the period between August 31, 1980 and December 12, 1981, when the Solidarity movement was legal) were active members or gave support to organizations fighting or working for the cause of regaining independence and sovereignty by Poland or defending human rights, or who actively participated in the actions for that cause, and who due to that were killed, wounded, physically disabled, imprisoned, fired, expelled from university or school or called for obligatory military service. Individuals with recorded acts of collaboration with political police or other oppressive institutions of People's Poland are not eligible. The cross is equal in precedence to the Gold Cross of Merit.

Badge: dark red enameled Greek cross 40 x 40 mm, with narrow arms and a silver pin-stripe along the center. On the horizontal pin-stripes runs the motto: WOLNOSC I: SOLIDARNOSC (freedom and solidarity). On a square shield in the center there is a stylized crowned eagle. The reverse is plain.

Note: the cross is similar to the Independence Cross of 1930 and the Order of the Independence Cross, but with a different color of metal and enamel and with a different motto.

Ribbon: 38 mm, white with red and gold edges.

Army Cross of Merit

(Wojskowy Krzyz Zaslugi)

Instituted by act of Parliamentof June 14, 2007. Awarded in two categories: with and without swords to members of the army, in exceptional cases also to members of other services. The cross with swords is conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. The crosses without swords is bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service.

Badge: bronze Greek cross 42 x 42 mm, with concave arm bases, of the same design as the Military Cross. In the center there is a Polish crowned eagle of the same design as that worn on army caps, sitting on a sword. Reverse: flat, with a three line inscription rapidshare.comfiles146127682carro_da_tijuca_campeas_99.avi (Poland to her defender) and two laurel sprays on the sides. When awarded with swords, they are placed on a ring and surmount the badge.

Ribbon: 38 mm wide, dark crimson with 2 mm white edges and 2 mm side stripes equally spaced. A second award is denoted by a bronze bar on the ribbon. For the crosses with swords the bar has oak leaves, for the crosses without swords the bar is plain and polished.

Air Force Cross of Merit

(Lotniczy Krzyz Zaslugi)

Instituted by act of Parliamentof June 14, 2007. Awarded in two categories: with and without swords to members of the air force, in exceptional cases also to members of other services. The cross with swords is conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. The crosses without swords is bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service.

Badge: silver Greek cross 42 x 42 mm, with concave arm bases, of the same design as the Military Cross. In the center there is a non-enameled chessboard of the Polish Air Force. Reverse: flat, with a three line inscription 'POLSKA / SWEMU / OBRONCY' (Poland to her defender) and two laurel sprays on the sides. When awarded with swords, they are placed on a ring and surmount the badge.

Ribbon: 38 mm wide, light blue with 2 mm white edges and 2 mm side stripes equally spaced. A second award is denoted by a bronze bar on the ribbon. For the crosses with swords the bar has oak leaves, for the crosses without swords the bar is plain and polished.

Navy Cross of Merit

(Morski Krzyz Zaslugi)

Instituted by act of Parliamentof June 14, 2007. Awarded in two categories: with and without swords to members of the navy, in exceptional cases also to members of other services. The cross with swords is conferred for meritorious service in combat operations against acts of terrorism at home or during military missions overseas. The crosses without swords is bestowed for outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service.

Badge: silver Greek cross 42 x 42 mm, with concave arm bases, of the same design as the Military Cross. In the center there is a hand holding a saber - the emblem of the Polish Navy. Reverse flat, with a three line inscription 'POLSKA / SWEMU / OBRONCY' (Poland to her defender) and two laurel sprays on the sides. When awarded with swords, they are placed on a ring and surmount the badge.

Ribbon: 38 mm wide, navy blue with 2 mm white edges and 2 mm side stripes equally spaced. A second award is denoted by a bronze bar on the ribbon. For the crosses with swords the bar has oak leaves, for the crosses without swords the bar is plain and polished.

Medal for Sacrifice and Courage

(Medal Za Ofiarnosc i Odwage)

Instituted by act of Parliament of February 17, 1960. Conferred in a single grade (silver) on those who saved or attempted to save human life or property at the risk of their own lives. It may be conferred many times on the same person and may be awarded posthumously. The medal has replaced the Cross of Merit, awarded previously for deeds of such kind.

Badge: round silver medal 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: a man and a woman with outstretched hands in triangular frames. Reverse: the inscription ZA / OFIARNOSC / I ODWAGE / W OBRONIE / ZYCIA I MIENIA (for sacrifice and courage in defense of life and property) with three oak leaves above, also in triangular frames.

Ribbon: 35 mm green with red side stripes. Until 1992 each award was worn separately; since then each subsequent award has been denoted by a plain silver bar attached to the ribbon.

Long Service Medal

(Medal za Dlugoletnia Sluzbe)

Instituted by act of Parliament of January 8, 1938 and renewed on June 14, 2007. Conferred for long service in the armed forces, police, fire sevice, education, justice, central or local administration in three classes - gold, silver and bronze, awarded for 30, 20 and 10 years of service respectively.

Badge: gilt, silver or bronze medal, 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: a crowned eagle, surrounded by corn spikes, the lower part being circumscribed ZA DLUGOLETNIA SLUZBE (for long service). The reverse bears the Roman numerals XXX, XX or X respectively, with a laurel spray below.

Ribbon: 35mm, claret with a 10 mm white central stripe. When ribbon bars alone are worn, they have Roman numerals XXX, XX or X of gilt, silver or bronze metal, superimposed on them.

Note: As only the service from 1918 was taken into account, no gold medals were conferred before WWII.

Medal for Long Marital Life

(Medal za Dlugoletnie Pozycie Malzenskie)

Instituted by act of Parliament of February 17, 1960. Conferred on couples who survived fifty years in the same union, provided the union had at least one child (own or adopted). The medal has replaced the previously awarded Cross of Merit.

Badge: silver medal 35 mm of diameter. Obverse: a cross of six equal arms with an ornament between them. In the center there is a pink medallion depicting two crossed silver roses. Reverse: Letters RP (PRL until 1990) with the circumscription ZA DLUGOLETNIE POZYCIE MALZENSKIE (for long marital life).

Ribbon: 35 mm pink with a white central stripe.